BRIEFLY: Stellantis, Polestar, Megawatt Charging & more | 07 Feb 2026
About this episode
Stellantis is reevaluating its EV strategy, facing backlash for its previous all-in approach, as it shifts focus back to combustion engines. Meanwhile, Polestar enhances its charging network by integrating Tesla Superchargers into its app, expanding access for users. The episode also covers Norway's impressive EV adoption rates, with only seven petrol cars registered in January, and highlights various developments from manufacturers like Genesis and Mercedes-AMG, including new platforms and charging capabilities. Insights into EV infrastructure challenges in California and the UK market are also discussed.
It's EV News Briefly for Saturday 07 February 2026, everything you need to know in less than 5 minutes if you haven't got time for the full show.
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STELLANTIS BOOKS €22BN EV U-TURN HIT https://evne.ws/4r4S5BO
POLESTAR ADDS TESLA SUPERCHARGERS AND PLUG & CHARGE https://evne.ws/4rAg4sk
WATTEV DOUBLES SAN BERNARDINO MEGAWATT TRUCK CHARGING https://evne.ws/4triQ52
NORWAY SELLS SEVEN PETROL CARS IN JANUARY https://evne.ws/4bMJuz5
JAECOO 7 HITS UK NO 2 SPOT https://evne.ws/4aI1QQB
GENESIS PLANS BESPOKE PLATFORM FOR EVS AND HYBRIDS https://evne.ws/4c6pdon
MASSACHUSETTS FUNDS BI-DIRECTIONAL EV CHARGING PILOT https://evne.ws/4ktqQOV
MERCEDES-AMG LINES UP ELECTRIC SUV COUPE FOR 2027 https://evne.ws/4cjXPTE
Opel
"Actually, Voxel, Opel, Peugeot and more have had some sales success at that low to mid end"
Opel is a car brand from Germany that makes different types of vehicles. It is now part of a larger company called Stellantis.
Opel is a German automobile manufacturer that is part of the Stellantis group. It has a long history of producing a wide range of vehicles, from compact cars to SUVs.
Peugeot
"Actually, Voxel, Opel, Peugeot and more have had some sales success at that low to mid end"
Peugeot is a car brand from France that makes many different kinds of cars. It is part of a larger company called Stellantis.
Peugeot is a French automotive manufacturer known for producing a variety of vehicles, including cars and bicycles. It is also part of the Stellantis group.
Stellantis
"...the kind of stuff that Stellantis wanted to sell my American listeners wasn't really market competitive."
Stellantis is a big car company that makes many different brands of cars, like Jeep and Peugeot. It was created when two companies joined together.
Stellantis is a multinational automotive manufacturing corporation formed from the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and PSA Group. It owns several well-known brands, including Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler, Peugeot, and Opel.
V8 engines
"...leaning back into combustion, pollution, V8 engines"
V8 engines are a type of car engine that has eight cylinders. They are powerful and often used in bigger cars and trucks.
V8 engines are internal combustion engines with eight cylinders arranged in a V configuration. They are known for their power and performance, commonly found in larger vehicles and performance cars.
Polestar
"Polestar has added Tesla Supercharges to its plug and charge app as well. Plug and charge now offers 28,000 stations across Europe..."
Polestar is a car brand that makes electric cars. It started as a part of Volvo but now operates on its own, creating high-performance electric vehicles.
Polestar is a Swedish automotive brand that specializes in electric performance vehicles, originally a performance division of Volvo. It has since become a standalone brand focusing on electric cars and sustainability.
Tesla
"Polestar has added Tesla Supercharges to its plug and charge app as well. Plug and charge now offers 28,000 stations across Europe..."
Tesla is a well-known car company that makes electric vehicles. They also have a network of charging stations called Superchargers that help drivers charge their cars quickly.
Tesla is an American electric vehicle and clean energy company known for its innovative electric cars, battery energy storage, and solar products. It has a significant influence on the automotive industry and is recognized for its Supercharger network.
plug and charge
"Polestar has added Tesla Supercharges to its plug and charge app as well. Plug and charge now offers 28,000 stations across Europe..."
Plug and charge is a convenient way for electric car drivers to charge their vehicles. They can just plug in their car, and it automatically takes care of the payment without needing to do anything else.
Plug and charge is a feature that allows electric vehicle owners to charge their cars without needing to authenticate or use a payment method at charging stations. The vehicle and charging station communicate automatically to handle the payment.
Supercharger
"20,000 new Tesla Supercharges at 1,500 locations now go into the app alongside many of the other platforms..."
Superchargers are special charging stations made by Tesla that let you charge their electric cars very quickly. This makes it easier to travel long distances without waiting too long to recharge.
A Supercharger is a high-speed charging station developed by Tesla for its electric vehicles. These stations can charge a Tesla vehicle significantly faster than standard charging stations, allowing for long-distance travel with minimal downtime.
JQ 7
"In fact, the JQ 7 plug-in hybrid was the second best-selling car overall last month in January and that's about 34, 35,000 pounds."
The JQ 7 is a type of car that uses both a gasoline engine and an electric motor. This helps it use less fuel and produce fewer emissions compared to regular cars.
The JQ 7 is a plug-in hybrid vehicle that has gained popularity in the UK market, being one of the best-selling cars recently. Plug-in hybrids combine a traditional internal combustion engine with an electric motor, allowing for reduced emissions and improved fuel efficiency.
plug-in hybrid
"In fact, the JQ 7 plug-in hybrid was the second best-selling car overall last month in January and that's about 34, 35,000 pounds."
A plug-in hybrid is a car that can run on electricity for a while and also has a gasoline engine. You can charge it at home or at charging stations, which helps save fuel.
A plug-in hybrid vehicle can be charged from an external power source and typically has a larger battery than regular hybrids. This allows for a certain range of electric-only driving before the gasoline engine kicks in, providing flexibility and efficiency.
MG HS
"right in line with the BYD CLU plug-in hybrid, MGHS. If you want to plug-in hybrid that's a pretty competitive segment"
The MG HS is a compact SUV, which means it's a smaller sport utility vehicle. MG is a brand that makes cars and is popular for offering good value.
The MG HS is a compact SUV from the British automotive brand MG, which is now owned by the Chinese company SAIC Motor. It offers a mix of style, technology, and practicality.
Hyundai Genesis
"to go shopping in. Genesis say they will launch a new bespoke platform next ..."
The Hyundai Genesis is a fancy car that is designed to be comfortable and stylish, similar to other luxury cars but usually at a lower price. It's known for having lots of cool features and a smooth ride, making it a good choice for people who want a nice car without breaking the bank.
The Hyundai Genesis is a luxury sedan that was first introduced in 2008 and later became its own brand, Genesis. It is significant for offering high-end features and performance at a competitive price, making luxury more accessible. The mention of a new bespoke platform indicates the brand's commitment to innovation and enhancing the driving experience.
Genesis GV60
"Obviously, things like the GV60 use the Hyundai 800V architecture and that's really, really good."
The Genesis GV60 is a luxury electric SUV made by Genesis, which is a brand that focuses on high-end cars. It has modern features and a stylish design.
The Genesis GV60 is an electric SUV from Genesis, the luxury vehicle division of Hyundai. It features advanced technology and a premium design, aiming to compete in the luxury electric vehicle market.
800V architecture
"Obviously, things like the GV60 use the Hyundai 800V architecture and that's really, really good."
The 800V architecture is a type of electrical system in electric cars that helps them charge faster and perform better. It's a newer technology that makes electric cars more efficient.
The 800V architecture refers to a high-voltage electrical system used in electric vehicles, allowing for faster charging and improved performance. This technology is becoming more common in modern electric cars.
Mercedes-AMG
"...Mercedes-AMG unveiling their electric SUV Coupe in 2027, another car on their own platform."
Mercedes-AMG is a part of Mercedes-Benz that makes faster and sportier cars. They take regular Mercedes models and make them more powerful and fun to drive.
Mercedes-AMG is the performance division of Mercedes-Benz, known for producing high-performance versions of their vehicles. They focus on enhancing power, handling, and overall driving experience.
electric SUV Coupe
"...Mercedes-AMG unveiling their electric SUV Coupe in 2027, another car on their own platform."
An electric SUV Coupe is a type of car that looks like a sporty coupe but has the space and height of an SUV, and it runs on electricity instead of gasoline.
An electric SUV Coupe combines the body style of a coupe with the functionality of an SUV, powered entirely by electric motors. This design aims to offer sporty aesthetics along with the practicality of an SUV.
AMG.DA architecture
"...another car on their own platform. The AMG.DA architecture, they say that it will charge at 850 kilowatts charge speed."
AMG.DA architecture is the special design Mercedes-AMG uses for their electric cars to make them fast and efficient. It helps the car perform better while using electricity.
AMG.DA architecture refers to the specific platform designed by Mercedes-AMG for their electric vehicles, focusing on performance and efficiency. This architecture is tailored to support high-performance electric drivetrains.
850 kilowatts charge speed
"...they say that it will charge at 850 kilowatts charge speed."
850 kilowatts charge speed means the car can charge its battery very quickly, allowing drivers to spend less time waiting for it to charge.
850 kilowatts charge speed indicates the maximum rate at which the vehicle's battery can be charged. This high charging speed allows for significantly reduced charging times, making electric vehicles more convenient for users.
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